The governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Yuthasak Supasorn, made a statement on August 21st confirming the government’s plan to open Phuket for international tourism on October 1st.
Reopening Phuket for foreign visitors will act as a sort of pilot program for the rest of the country, testing how successful restarting the tourism sector in this current environment can be.
“On Oct. 1 we will start in Phuket”
Yuthasak told Reuters on Friday.
The reopening news of Phuket does come with a lot of caveats, many of which might be deal breakers for hopeful tourists.
While the entry requirements and countries that will be allowed to travel on October 1 have not yet been formally released, the government has publicized the criteria for the reopening, which does include both quarantines and several PCR tests.
Visitors Must Stay 30 Days
Yuthasak Supasorn told Reuters that foreign tourists will be committed to stay in Thailand for at least 30 days, which they must fly directly into Phuket. Shorter trips will not be permitted.
The first 14 days of their minimum 30 day vacation will be in quarantine at their hotel, which will include their private hotel room, common areas of the hotel’s property, and in some cases beach access.
Many PCR Tests
The Minister of Tourism and Sports, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, stated that only after 14 days in quarantine at the hotel, plus 2 PCR tests with negative results, the tourist will then be permitted to leave the hotel property and venture around Phuket.
Any tourist that then wishes to leave Phuket and visit other parts of Thailand can only do so after a 3rd PCR test performed in the 3rd week of their visit.
A negative PCR test may also be required by all arrivals to fly into Phuket.
source: Travel off Path
Subscribe to my site for latest travel news and trip tips.
